Former President of Davis Area Rottweiler Rescue Found Dead in her Home

The former president of a Davis area rottweiler rescue shelter died in her home on Friday. Her death comes days after 3 dogs were found dead on that same property, and 11 others had to be confiscated by Yolo County Animal Control.

Her name was Elaine Greenberg, 74, from Davis.

The animal shelter told FOX40 that 1 of those 11 passed away since being rescued. However, a friend of the other shelter’s owner says her poor health is what led to those dog’s mistreatment.

“She provided wonderful care for the animals that she brought in,” said Bridget Curry. Curry was friends with Greenberg for 20 years. “That should be her legacy, not what happened when she became too ill to care for herself, and so she couldn’t care for the dogs either.”

According to the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Greenberg was found dead in her home on Friday.

Curry has a different opinion about why she died. She said, “She was just beside herself because of all of the phone calls and death threats, a 74 year old woman.”

The community was angry after deputies and animal control officers rescued 11 dogs from her clinic in late July. After the animals were found living in feces and 3 other dogs found dead.

“She was not herself at all and that’s why this happened,” said Curry.

Curry doesn’t make excuses for Greenberg, and is glad the animals were taken away. She said her friend likely suffered a stroke, which severely affected her mental state.

“Here’s a woman who worked in research at the university until she retired but when the bill was $10.81 when we were buying dinner, she had 2 fives and five ones and couldn’t figure out what to give the guy,” said Curry.

After the dogs were taken, the Second Chance Rottweiler Rescue Board of Directors voted to remove Greenberg as president, posting the announcement on their webpage.

After the dogs were removed, Curry says Greenberg was taken in to the hospital for a 5150 mental evaluation, but was later released.

Now after her death, Curry believes Greenberg never meant to hurt those animals.

Curry concluded, “If she had been in her right mind, she would have been mortified, ’cause she saved dogs from those situations for 50 years.”

FOX40 reached out to The Second Chance Rottweiler Board of Directors to see where that organization goes from here. There is still no word yet on if they will try to take responsibility for dogs who are still housed at this shelter.